Sustainability
is defined as development that can meet the needs of the present without compromising
that of the future (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, as
cited as in Rogers, Jalal and Boyd, 2012).
There
are three components of sustainability, economic, environmental and societal
which is also known as triple bottom line. Rodger A. Sedjo defines the three
pillars in Perspectives on Sustainable Resource in America (2010). Ecological
is when the ecosystem functions systematically as opposed to unsystematic
partial measure taken over a period of time. Economic sustainability is more
focused on communities having healthy economies that provide high-quality lives
for theirs citizens. Societal sustainability is more concerning towards eliminating
the fiction between individuals/groups to achieve social cohesion and also
ensures adequate distribution of resources throughout the community.
Due to an increase in spending power among the
middle classes (Toronto Sun, 2016), people have started spending more on
leisure and travel. These numbers are estimated to surely go up overtime.
(Virtuso, Nn Date). One can often find an increasing amount of air traffic
prior to a large scale event. For instance, France welcomed as many as 1.5
million football enthusiast from around the world to witness the Euro Cup 2016.
The concentration of such vast numbers on a specific spot for a sudden short
period of time often sees resources being exhausted. Not only that, the
tournament saw several brawls, and vandalism between opposing fans (Grabar,
2016). The event Industry has evolved due to globalization and the advancement
on communications, giving birth to a whole new tourism sector called event
tourism. All these excess events and festival dirties the environment (take
Toronto 420 as an example) and in-turn affects the society.
Companies
understand these consequences try to balance the scales by giving something
back to the society. Hilton Community’s We Care initiative sees its staff
contributing to clean the environment. Similarly food banks like the second
helping have been launched to help out the hungry. Several hotel properties,
such as Wynn Hotels and resorts have started with toy donations to connect with
the under privileged children.
There
are several methods how an establishment can be socially sustainable. And now,
non-profit organizations like ‘The big brother’& ‘The big sister’
foundation encourages even individuals to do their part towards helping a
community. It does not dwell on monetary aspects but on emotions. Being an
elder brother or sister to a young one, being a role model to them and teaching
them the ways of life is a beautiful way to reach out and touch the
inner-selves of a community.
On
similar grounds, hotels like Moevenpick, sent the staff to volunteer and help
during the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. The land was depleted of basic
resources like water. Being sustainable and going green is now becoming an
integral part of how an organization is viewed.
Below
are three questions which will get you to think. They may be debatable. So
there is no one true answer.
Q)1
What other initiatives can you come up with other than, donations, food back or
clothes?
Q2)
Why has it taken till now for people to realize that a sustainable society is
so much needed?
Q3) How often do you think that international companies practice these sustainable activities just for show?
Q3) How often do you think that international companies practice these sustainable activities just for show?
Links
to the site I have used for this blog;
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